I woke up to 3-4 inches of sleet on the ground the huge snow storm was making its way across the country. I walked outside in tennis shoes and got soaked right though to the socks. Oklahoma really in for cowboys like they say, you need a good pair of boots to get around. Thankfully I was traveling with everything I own, on went the boots. I grabbed some bfast in the main building at the Travelodge (it was awful) took a few items for the road, said a brief prayer for the Jetta and was back on the road.
I was wondering if I was ever going to get stopped while I was on my cross country road trip. Sure enough today was the day. Cold, snowing, and getting pulled over..sounds like the start of a perfect day to me. I have had pretty good luck driving, I have only ever got a ticket for rolling through a stop sign (knock on wood). I must say it was the most unusual of stops. The guy pulled me over asked for my licence and registration, just like the movies. Asked if I knew why he pulled me over, I said no. He honestly pulled me over because in the great state of Oklahoma you are not allowed to have any part of your licence plate covered. It has to be entirely exposed...I wish I was lying. He had me get out of my car walk to his 2013 Ford Explorer, get in, then began shooting the shit. He asked me tons of questions about where I was coming from, where I was headed, where that was, how far, where I call home? etc etc. I answered all of them willingly, I have been told the best way to avoid tickets it to just say yes mam no mam, yes sir no sir. Either way it worked I got off with a warning. The guy said he was riding with his training officer so he was probably just practicing pulling people over for fun...
Thinking about after I pulled away, he must have thought I was a crazy person (and believe it or not, the beard wasn't helping). All my answers to his questions were a little off; Where are you coming from...uhh would you like the long or short version? Where are you going to? Santa Fe, Where is that? (would you like a map? I didn't say it, but I thought it for sure). Where do I call home? ... don't really have one. So is this the right address on your licence? Yes Sir. haha, just let me go!
Just a brief hiccup in an otherwise uneventful drive. Oklahoma is just flat farm land, not much to see. I arrived in Amarillo, North Texas around 1pm and ate at this great Mexican place, Acapulco Mexican Food and Bar. Probably one of the best burritos I have ever had, thank you yelp. I did not spend much time in Amarillo though I did listen to Amarillo by Morning, by George Strait about ten times. It is a small town didn't seem like there was much to do and I still had a lot of driving ahead of me. I did however, notice that the Cadillac Ranch was located just west of Amarillo, on the way, I had to make the stop. The ranch was beautiful I guess.. there were 10 Cadillac's all nose down in the dirt. They had all been spray painted various colors, not sure if it was art or graffiti I will admit I chickened out walking all the way out. The little path out there was like 3/4 inches of thick mud. I watch a couple venture out and the covered their shoes and pants with mud. I just used the zoom:).
I had about three and a half hours to Santa Fe and I only had one night so I needed to catch some daylight to take pictures. I arrived checked in to an awesome hotel! Way cool, it was like a back packer type hotel with super nice amenities. Looks like some rich artists handy work;) It was located walking distance from downtown Santa Fe. No driving! haha I checked in dropped off my bags and my car and chased the sunset. Santa Fe is a beautiful town, if you ever get a chance I highly recommend making the stop. Lots of art, beautiful buildings, fine dining, but zero nightlife. I think the whole town shuts down at like 730pm.
I was able to capture the gist of down town Santa Fe. Not sure where all the money comes from, but wow is it nice. It reminds me a little bit of Vail. Everything is very nice and neat, all the buildings look the same, I assume there are strict building codes in downtown Santa Fe and you are either a have or work for a have, rich or work for someone rich or a bum... Didn't look like a great place to be a bum, gets too cold up in the mountains at night. These are the types of things you think about when you are an unemployed drifter..
I ate at a place called The Atomic Grill, they got me with their specials listed outside on the street! Why doesn't every restaurant do this? I had a bfast burrito for dinner. Yes, it was a two burrito day, did I mention I have gained twenty pounds since eating season started (thanksgiving is the kick off). Anyway it was a great burrito I would have enjoyed just as much at full price:). The Atomic Grill is also big on their micro brews (huge fan) and boast a huge beer selection. I sampled a local Santa Fe IPA and Pale Ale (better). After dinner I cruised back through town to my hotel, caught the end of the Duke/Virginia basketball game and fell asleep (Duke Lost 68-74..pissed).
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